how to prepare for an anime convention

1. Determine your transportation to the convention. Once you have your anime convention badge, you should consider whether you will need to travel to get to the convention and if ...
2. Decide if you will need accommodations for the convention. If you are traveling outside of your home area for the convention, you will need accommodations.
3. Prepare a cosplay. A cosplay is a costume in the style of an anime character. You may buy a cosplay or make your own cosplay at home.
4. Create a convention survival kit. You should make sure you pack the essentials for the con, or a convention survival kit, so you are prepared.
5. Read the convention guide and make a schedule of events. Most anime cons have a schedule of events on their website a few weeks before the con starts.

Full Answer

What should I do Before I go to an anime convention?

You should start by registering for the convention and preparing for the convention before you get there. Once you arrive, you should try to enjoy yourself as much as possible. Research anime conventions in your area.

What happens at Anime conventions?

Larger Conventions like Anime Midwest or AniMinneapolis have larger exhibit halls where the focus can be on spending hours and hours browsing an epic selection of anime goods. These exhibit halls have companies that come from across the company selling anime merchandise, swords, manga, limited edition figures, and more.

How much does it cost to go to an anime convention?

Smaller anime conventions usually cost around $30 for a pre-registered badge. Larger conventions can cost $50-$60 for a badge. You may also need to factor renting a hotel room or a home stay, as well as transportation, such as airplane tickets or parking and gas for a car.

Where can I find the best anime conventions in North America?

You can also look at the ten largest anime conventions in North America on Animecons.com. Some of the largest anime conventions include the Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California, the Anime North in Toronto, Ontario, and Anime Central in Rosemont, Illinois. Select a convention based on your budget.

How do I prepare for my first anime convention?

10 Essential Tips For Surviving Your First Anime Convention,...1 Enjoy. After all the budgeting and planning, there is one last thing to do at the con: Enjoy it.2 Budget. ... 3 Stay Safe. ... 4 Please Be Clean. ... 5 Prepare for Emergencies. ... 6 Plan A Breakable Experience. ... 7 Drink Water. ... 8 Know the Weather. ... More items...•

What can I expect at an anime convention?

At a typical anime convention, expect to find rooms and rooms of anime fans and anime paraphernalia. Expect a lot of cosplayers to be there as well dressed up as all sorts of characters. More often than not, they're open for a photograph so don't be afraid to ask for one!

What do you need for a anime convention?

At the minimum, you will need to budget for the anime convention badge, buying food, purchasing anime merchandise, and preparing your cosplay, if you are doing one. If you decide to travel for an anime convention, you will need to budget for transportation to and from the con as well as accommodations.

Can a 14 year old go to an anime convention?

Ages 14-17: Anyone 14 and older must purchase a 4-day or 1-day general attendee badge. Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to pick up their badge. We recommend attendees ages 14-17 have a parent or guardian close by for the duration of the event.

Should I cosplay at my first con?

Absolutely, in fact the majority of attendees don't do cosplay for the event. And if this is your first time, it may be for the best if you opt for comfort over creativity. If you have a relevant t-shirt, Comic-Con is a great place to wear it.

Are anime conventions kid friendly?

Generally, if your child is above the age of 13, well behaved, and traveling with a group of trusted friends, it's probably fine for them to attend the convention without you. Is my child safe? Anime cons are generally very safe environments.

How much money should I bring to an anime con?

If you are going to an anime convention, you should plan to budget at least $500-$1000. The final cost can vary significantly based on the size of the event, the type of transportation you take, the hotel you stay at, and the number of people you share expenses with.

How much does anime con cost?

Public Pricing: 4-Day: $140. Child Pass (6-12 years): $40. 1-Day Friday, Saturday, Sunday: $70. 1-Day Monday: $50.

How old do you have to be to go to a cosplay con?

As cosplay has become more mainstream and accessible, people have been able to enter the world of costume creation at younger ages. On average, cosplayers wear their first costume to a convention at age 21. However, there is no age limit for cosplay.

Can a 12 year old go to a cosplay convention?

COSPLAY IS AN ALL-AGES EVENT. There will have one competition for children 13 and under and then a contest for anyone else entered. The Cosplay choice should be considered a PG-13 rated event at the most.

Are cosplay conventions safe?

Contrary to their reputation, anime and comic conventions are actually pretty safe. This is especially true over the past decade as anti-harassment policies have been put in place and groups have worked to bring awareness to issues of consent to photographs and hugs.

What are anime conventions called?

Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in the world by attendance. It was originally called “Anime Con” and it is known for bringing an increased number of western gaming elements into the event atmosphere alongside the celebration of Japanese culture and anime.

How much does it cost to attend an anime convention?

Smaller anime conventions usually cost around $30 for a pre-registered badge. Larger conventions can cost $50-$60 for a badge.

How to dress for a cosplay convention?

1. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. If you are not cosplaying, you should make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes and walking shoes, as you will likely be on your feet most of the day. The convention may be hot once you are inside the venue, so you may want to dress in layers to stay comfortable.

What to do if your cosplay gets damaged?

This way, if your cosplay gets damaged, you can fix it easily and quickly. Loose cash to spend on food and souvenirs. You may want to set a budget so you do not spend too much money on clothing, posters, DVDs, books, and other merchandise at the con. A camera and extra batteries or a plug in charger.

What to put in a convention survival kit?

You should include several key items in your convention survival kit, including: A sewing kit, duct tape, and markers to make emergency repairs on your cosplay.

Do you have to preregister for anime con?

You should always try to pre-register for anime cons, as it will cost you less to attend and you will get to wait in a shorter line to pick up your badge. If you decide to pre-register, you should make sure you are able to attend as most anime con badges are non-refundable and non-transferable.

1. Always Plan Ahead

It is always better to plan ahead, it doesn’t matter if it’s a year or a few months early but never leave the planning to the last minute.

2. Pack the essentials

The day of the event has come! And you think you are more than ready. But are you really? Rather than thinking you won’t be needing much inside the venue, it is better to come prepared. Instead of a small handy bag, bring a trusty backpack inside and make sure to pack everything you’d think will help you survive throughout the day.

3. Document everything

If this is your first anime convention, then this moment would have to be written in history and you’ll want to remember every bit of it. But, even if it’s not your first, it will still be something you’d want to look back and reminisce every once in a while. You know, memories.

4. Stick to the budget

The first day of the convention will be overwhelming and you will be fascinated with the room full of anime merchandise. It might be very tempting to splurge it all on the first day but, I highly suggest you don’t. Remember, it’s just the first day, there will be another day or two of the convention, so spend wisely and think twice before buying.

5. Your feet will hurt

If you are cosplaying, make sure that your shoes are comfortable so add in extra gel insoles in there for added comfort. Even though it will not be totally painless, especially if the character you are cosplaying requires inconvenient footwear, at the very least, take extra measures to lessen the pain.

6. Be Civilized

It does not matter if you are a local or a tourist or a first-timer or a veteran at attending anime conventions, you should always be polite and civilized. This means, do not be rude to your fellow goers or to vendors and don’t do anything stupid that will result in you being asked to leave or worse, call the attention of the police.

7. Dress it all up

In the normal community, people will probably look at you weirdly if you decided to wear your cat ears and tails to the mall but not in anime conventions. In fact, you are encouraged to dress to your favorite characters or at least embody them in your own way.

What is an anime convention?

An anime convention (“anime con” for short) is a formally-organized gathering of anime fans, who get together for a few days at a hotel or city convention center and share their enthusiasm for anime. To see what anime cons are coming to your area, Google Anime Conventions.

Getting to an Anime Con

Now that you know what an anime convention is and what there is to do, you’re wanting to go to one! First things first, check out local anime con in your area.

Time for Cosplay!

One of the most fun elements to attending an anime con is cosplay. Not a requirement but you will just have a much more awesome time if you do choose to don a unique costume. Decide if you want to cosplay for the convention or not. I’ll say that about 1/3 of con attendees do cosplay, but if cosplaying is not for you, no problem.

Packing for the convention

So you’ve taken this guide into consideration and now you’re ready to pack and head out to this convention. You have your ticket purchased, hotel room booked, reliable transportation and even picked up yourself a spiffy new cosplay. If you’re going to be staying at the convention for the full weekend you’re going to need a bunch of things.

1. Learn what to expect

The first thing to do when attending a convention is to learn what to expect. Some conventions are different than others depending on the size of the convention!

2. Plan what to spend money on

Sometimes conventions can be cheap, and sometimes they can be expensive. Conventions that have a free ConSuite or ConSweet (TM) offer free snacks and sodas through the weekend so that you can recharge and save money. If you have to buy beverages from the hotel then expect prices to be higher than elsewhere.

3. Make your costumes well in advance

Costumes are optional! However it can be really fun to dress up as your favorite anime villain and terrorize the convention. Note that most conventions have policies against destructive behavior - actual villain behavior is not allowed.

4. Eat healthy and hydrate

It's super easy to get so caught up in convention events that you forget to eat and drink plenty of water. So remember to drink water and snack throughout the day so that you don't collapse. This is especially important if you go to the convention dance or if you have a heavy costume.

5. Be safe

If you're younger, bring a responsible adult with you to the convention. Make sure that someone is reachable in case of emergency by programming the emergency contact in your phone or having it written on a card in your wallet. Also make sure that you can be reached in case a family member is looking for you.

6. Expect the unexpected

Sometimes guests cancel at the last minute (flight cancellations are happening more and more frequently last minute). Or sometimes panels won't happen that you expected. Try not to plan your entire convention experience around just one event, in case something happens to that event.

7. Bring friends with you

Conventions are definitely social events! Dressing up in costume and hanging out with friends who like the same series is a huge part of the experience. If you love anime, video games, comic books, Disney movies, or anything else, enjoying it with others is more fun.

Why is it important to plan ahead for a convention?

Going to a convention is like going on vacation. If you just wing it, things may not turn out for the best. The more you plan , the better things will go and the more fun you will have.

Can you sleep in a convention room?

If you need a place to stay, get a hotel room. Whether you book one yourself or plan to room with some friends, do this as soon as you can. You can't sleep in the convention space and sleeping in your car is not a good idea, and showers are a must.

What is an Anime Convention?

An anime convention is an event where fans of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture can come together to celebrate their love for the genres. The majority of attendees come dressed up as their favorite characters, and some events even host contests with cash prizes for the most imaginative cosplays.

Anime Conventions Near Me

Anime conventions are a great way to meet other people who enjoy anime as much as you do. They’re also a great way to learn about new anime, meet voice actors and actresses, and purchase exclusive merchandise. Here are some anime conventions near me:

How to Prepare for an Anime Convention

Anime conventions can be a lot of fun, but they can also be a lot of work to prepare for. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your next anime convention:

What to wear to a convention?

Footwear. Cosplay shoes and boots. Casual shoes (for sightseeing or walking around the convention as a normie) Sandals (if you want to grab an ice or chill in the hotel lobby, it’s much easier to just slip on sandals than to put on your socks and tie your shoes.

How to organize cosplay?

How to organize your cosplays. Put all your stuff for one particular cosplay into one large bag. You don’t want to put your cosplay pants in the main compartment of the suitcase and then your gloves in a different bag . No way!

How many suitcases should I bring to a convention?

If you want to fit everything in your convention packing list, you’ll want to only bring 1 suitcase and a backpack. Especially if you’re not driving to the convention. Regardless of which transportation method you use, I highly recommend only bringing 1 backpack and 1 suitcase. In terms of size for the suitcase, ...

What to do with cosplay props?

Cosplay props and armor can be very fragile, so the best thing to do is wrap them with towels, bubble wrap or with clothing. That way, it’ll be able to withstand the bumpy roads during the trip to the convention. Ideally, you want to carry these items with you on the bus or in front of you in the car.